Flexible liquid flow barrier for embalming table



April 7, 1964 D. w. PANNELL FLEXIBLE LIQUID FLOW BARRIER FOR EMBALMING TABLE Filed 00",. 8, 1962 INVENTOR Dennis W. Ponnell ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,128,091 FLEXIBLE LIQUID FLOW BARRIER FOR EMBALMING TABLE Dennis W. Pannell, Fort Worth, Tex. (403 N. Page, Comanche, Tex.) Filed Oct. 8, 1962,, Ser. No. 229,049 2 Claims. (Cl. 269327) This invention relates to a flexible liquid flow barrier for an embalming table, and it concerns more particularly an elongated flexible, resilient element formed of molded rubber or the like for use as a portable, movable liquid flow barrier or dam for temporary application to the surface of an embalming table to channel drainage to the gutters on opposite sides of the table and at its lower end, the table being inclined.

An object of the invention is to provide, in combination with an embalming table having gutters on opposite sides thereof and at its lower end, the table being inclined longitudinally, the combination of an elongated flexible, resilient element formed of molded resilient material having means removably connecting it to the surface of the table for use as a portable, movable liquid flow barrier or dam for temporary application to the surface of the table to confine liquids normally present during an embalming operation to a selected area of the table and to channel drainage from such area to one or more of the gutters.

In one application of the device it is passed under the neck or shoulders of a body operatively positioned on an embalming table, and extends between the gutters at opposite sides of the table, for use in shampooing the hair.

In another application .the .device has one of its ends passed under the body below the thighs and extends to the gutter at one side of the table, for use in an operation in which an incision is made in a thigh and embalming fluid is pumped in an artery at that point and both blood and embalming fluid are displaced from a nearby vein.

In still another application the device has one of its ends passed under the body below the ribs and extends to the gutter at one side of the table, for use in an operation in which an incision is made in an arm, rather than in a thigh, and embalming fluid is pumped in an artery at that point and both blood and embalming fluid are displaced from a nearby vein.

The barrier element of the invention channels drainage from the several operations above described directly to the gutters, keeps the table clean, and avoids unnecessary scrubbing of the table as well as repeated bathing and drying of the body.

The invention will be readily understood by referring to the following description and the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a barrier element embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal elevational view, partly in section taken on a median line;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view;

FIG. 4 is a sectional elevational view on an enlarged scale taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2; and

FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 are top plan views of an embalming table having a body, shown in dotted lines, operatively positioned thereon, showing diagrammatically three different ways in which the barrier element of the invention is adapted to be used.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4 of the drawing, the numeral 1 designates generally a barrier element embodying the invention. The barrier element 1 comprises an elongated flexible, resilient element formed of molded rubber or the like for use as a portable, movable liquid flow 3,128,091 Patented Apr. 7, 1964 barrier or dam for temporary application to the surface of an embalming table, as hereinafter described in connection with FIGS. 5 to 7, to channel drainage to the gutters on opposite sides of the table and at its lower end, the table being inclined.

The barrier element 1 has an upstanding central portion 3, coextensive with its length, and has a relatively wider base portion 4 which is arched intermediate its side edges, as at 5, and has marginal flange portions 6 which extend laterally outwardly in opposite directions.

The marginal flange portions 6 are flexed downwardly and laterally outwardly by their inherent elasticity and are tapered whereby they terminate in knife edges and are adapted to be seated with their under sides flush with the table top, indicated by the line 7, FIG. 4, and with their top sides inclined at an obtuse angle relative thereto, as shown in dotted lines, FIG. 4, upon depressing the upstanding central .portion 3.

A series of integral suction cups 8 are connected to the under side of the base portion 4 along its longitudinal center line, between the marginal flange portions 6, in longitudinally spaced relation to each other and facing downwardly, whereby the barrier element 1 is adapted to 'be removably secured to the table top 7, as shown in dotted lines, FIG. 4, upon depressing the upstanding central portion 3 as above described.

The opposite sides of the upstanding central portion 3 are curved continuously, beginning at their juncture with the top sides of the marginal flange portions 6, and extend laterally inwardly and upwardly and then laterally outwardly again, in opposite directions, as at 9, whereby the direction of flow of liquids flowing across the top of the table '7 is adapted to be reversed, upon contact of the liquids with the barrier element 1, sufliciently to confine the liquids within an area defined by the barrier element 1 and to prevent them from overflowing it.

The oppositely curved sides 9 of the upstanding central portion 3 also provide a convenient finger grip for use in removing the barrier element 1 from the table top 7.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 to 7 of the drawing, the numeral 10 designates generally an embalming table, the top of which is shown, having a body 11, shown in dotted lines, operatively positioned thereon. The table It) is inclined, being higher at one end than at the other, and has gutters 12 extending along opposite sides thereof and a gutter 13 extending along its lower end. The gutter 13 is connected at its ends to the adjacent ends of the gutters 12 and has a drain 14 communicating therewith.

As shown in FIG. 5, the barrier element 1 is passed under the neck or shoulders of the body 11 and extends between the gutters 12 at opposite sides of the table 10, for use in shampooing the hair.

As shown in FIG. 6, the barrier element 1 has one of its ends passed under the body 11 below the thighs and extends to the gutter 12 at one side of the table 16, for use in an operation in which an incision is made in a thigh and embalming fluid is pumped in an artery at that point, by means including a tube 15, shown fragmentarily in dotted lines, and both blood and embalming fluid are displaced from a nearby vein.

As shown in FIG. 7, the barrier element 1 has one of its ends passed under the body 11 below the ribs and extends to the gutter 12 at one side of the table 10, for use in an operation in which an incision is made in an arm and embalming fluid is pumped in an artery at that point, by means including the tube 15, and both blood and embalming fluid are displaced from a nearby vein.

The barrier element 1 advantageously may be applied to the top of the table 10 in any of the positions shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, for examples, by first wetting the barrier element 1 whereby it is slidable relative to the top of the table 14), which ordinarily is metal, and thereafter adjusting its position as desired and finally depressing the upstanding central portion 3 whereby the suction cups 8 are operatively connected, one at a time, with the top of the table 1%. Similarly, the barrier element 1 may be removed from the top of the table 10 by lifting one end of the barrier element 1 whereby the suction cups 8 are progressively disengaged therefrom.

The barrier element of the invention provides means for confining wash water, blood, embalming fluid, and the like as drained from the body to the immediate area of the table where work is in progress, and helps to keep the table clean and prevents unnecessary washing and drying of the body after it has once been bathed.

The barrier element of the invention does not permit liquids to touch the body except in the immediate area where work is being performed.

An advantageous feature of the invention is that drainage from the body is clearly visible to the attendant when using the device, which provides better control of the operation.

The barrier element of the invention is formed in its entirety of molded resilient material, such as rubber, and has no sharp edges, metal surfaces, screws, or the like, so that it cannot damage either the body or the table.

The barrier element is also quiet in use. Because of its rubber structure its use is not attended by any noise at all, which is important in embalming establishments. The device is not cumbersome, but is readily adapted to use as desired; may be easily stored; is resistant to chemical action as Well as unbreakable, and comparatively indestructible; stays in place during use; and is characterized by its simplicity and has no fluid passages or ports to become clogged.

The invention may be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

I claim:

1. An elongated flexible, resilient element formed of molded resilient material for use as a portable, movable liquid flow barrier or dam for temporary application to the surface of an embalming table, said element having an upstanding central portion, coextensive with its length, and having a relatively wider base portion which is arched intermediate its side edges and has marginal flange portions which extend laterally outwardly in opposite directions, the marginal flange portions being flexed downwardly and laterally outwardly by their inherent elasticity and being tapered whereby they terminate in knife edges and are adapted to be seated with their under sides flush with the table top, and with their top sides inclined at an obtuse angle relative thereto, upon depressing the upstanding central portion, and having a series of integral suction cups connected to the under side of the base portion along its longitudinal center line, between the marginal flange portions, in longitudinally spaced relation to each other and facing downwardly, whereby said element is adapted to be removably secured to the table top upon depressing the upstanding central portion.

2. The structure of claim 1, the opposite sides of the upstanding central portion being curved continuously, beginning at their juncture with the top sides of the marginal flange portions, and extending laterally inwardly and upwardly and then laterally outwardly again, in opposite directions, whereby the direction of flow of liquids flowing across the top of the table is adapted to be reversed, upon contact of the liquids with said element, sufliciently to confine the liquids within an area defined by said element and to prevent them from overflowing said element.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,736,957 Whelan Nov. 26, 1929 1,796,493 Thompson Mar. 17, 1931 2,569,561 Friedman Oct. 2, 1951 

1. AN ELONGATED FLEXIBLE, RESILIENT ELEMENT FORMED OF MOLDED RESILIENT MATERIAL FOR USE AS A PORTABLE, MOVABLE LIQUID FLOW BARRIER OR DAM FOR TEMPORARY APPLICATION TO THE SURFACE OF AN EMBALMING TABLE, SAID ELEMENT HAVING AN UPSTANDING CENTRAL PORTION, COEXTENSIVE WITH ITS LENGTH, AND HAVING A RELATIVELY WIDER BASE PORTION WHICH IS ARCHED INTERMEDIATE ITS SIDE EDGES AND HAS MARGINAL FLANGE PORTIONS WHICH EXTEND LATERALLY OUTWARDLY IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS, THE MARGINAL FLANGE PORTIONS BEING FLEXED DOWNWARDLY AND LATERALLY OUTWARDLY BY THEIR INHERENT ELASTICITY AND BEING TAPERED WHEREBY THEY TERMINATE IN KNIFE EDGES 